The Chicken that Crossed the Road
Headlines, like alarms, rang out: “Historic Bar Burns in Okarche” and “Famous Eischen’s Called Total Loss.”
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Taste the State
Oklahoma has its fair share of tourist spots: Several roadside attractions line the highways. There are 35 state parks,
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City With a Cause: Tulsa Proclaims James Dean Week
WHEREAS, the late James Dean, during his all-too-brief career as a motion picture star, exerted a powerful and
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Evel Knievel Comes to Cooperville (and to Weldon Jack)
In 1972, Oklahoma City car dealer Jack Cooper brought Evel Knievel to town for a jump at the Oklahoma City
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Original Okie: Gary Busey
Gary Busey is a toothy-grinned character actor who began his career as a percussionist in his Stillwater-based band,
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Original Okie: Victor Moreland
Victor Moreland hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he got his start playing professional soccer before coming
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Oklahoma’s Oddest Festivals and Other Events
From the slightly strange to the downright bizarre, here are Oklahoma’s weirdest festivals and events. God bless our
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Woody Guthrie’s Disciples
Jimmy LaFave discovered Woody Guthrie in high school—around the time he picked up his first pair of drumsticks (which
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On the Road: 23 of Oklahoma’s Best Roadside Attractions
By Molly Evans and Tony Beaulieu Whether it's night or day and something unexpected just happened on the road, and
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An Interview with Ralph Ellison
Ellison was not known for giving interviews, but in 1966 he sat down at his home in New York City with Robert Hughes.
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The Cathedral Cruiser
When GM decommissioned the Parade of Progress, 12 Futurliners went up for sale. We know that a couple of them found
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The Indian of Their Dreams
If they hadn’t been square dancing beneath it, I might have ignored it. But there they were, the squares of the
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CJ Wells
If you ask CJ Wells what brought him to Tulsa, he'll say, “An ‘87 Toyota pick-up truck." He'd been throwing mud at
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Bean There, Done That
A Transportation Security Administration officer we’ll call Pat told me very politely, even gently: “Sir, you’re
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Grant McClintock
In this special Original Okie double feature, we present two portraits of Grant McClintock: one snapped in 1975 by
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Ismail Zebdieh
In 1988, Ismail Zebdieh left Aleppo, Syria, where he was a landscape engineer and a photographer. Since then, he's been
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Karl Siewert
Karl Siewert always wanted to be a librarian, just like his mother. He’s a compulsive researcher who considers every
This Land
New Documentary Details Japan’s Country Music Culture
This Land Films is pleased to announce a new partnership with director James Payne and producer Matt Leach to produce
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Tulsa’s Temple of the Three Jewels
In 563 BCE, on the full moon day of April, a prince was born, named Siddhartha Gautama, who would leave his kingdom
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Q & A with Bryant Oden
Oklahoma native and Rocky Mountain transplant Bryant Oden has made a career of writing goofy songs for
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Dixie Michell
Born and raised in New Orleans, musician and luthier Dixie Michell’s design sensibility grew from a childhood passion
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I’m Doing a Thing
Eric Fransen is a carpenter who has a woodworking studio in downtown Tulsa. At one point in his past, he was pursuing a
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Original Okie: Lisa Regan
Lisa Regan taught herself metalwork with welding tools borrowed from a mechanic friend with an auto body
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Katie Rain Hill
Katie Rain Hill is a commitment-phobe. She’s recently finished a degree in anthropology and sociology with a minor
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Something Good is Going to Happen to You
I was twelve years old when it happened, in the 7th grade, attending Victory Christian School on 71st Street in South
Randy R Potts
Dear Uncle Ronnie
My uncle, Ronald David Roberts, was born in 1945, the oldest son of the late televangelist, Oral Roberts, my
Randy R Potts
Sunday Morning Coming Down
Wednesday, June 9, 1982 In the news in Tulsa, Oklahoma: “Rotarians change laws to allow black members.” “She
Randy R Potts
Me and Larry
In March 2005, Larry Clark held his first exhibit in New York City at the International Center of Photography across
Randy R Potts
A Taste of Ukraine in Oklahoma
The Ukrainian protests since last November reminded me of this photo I took of my two daughters several years ago. We
Randy R Potts
The Oklahoma City King (and Queen) of Pride
I met Floyd recently at Oklahoma City’s Habana Inn on a Saturday afternoon, just minutes after 30 gay men paraded
Randy R Potts
Scenes from Muslim Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol
Muslims in Oklahoma, like other minority communities in the state, haven’t always felt secure in their homes and
Randy R Potts
Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns
Prominently in Kansas, and then principally in Oklahoma, towns founded by black trailblazers swelled in the
Hannibal B. Johnson
The Limits of the Law: Justice Thurgood Marshall in Oklahoma
The words “law” and “justice” fit together like handmaidens. Historically and strategically,
Hannibal B. Johnson
Curriculum Counts
Despite its significance as the worst so-called race riot in American history, even some Tulsans remain oblivious to
Hannibal B. Johnson
Struggle of the Three
Native Americans within the uprooted “Five Civilized Tribes” found a new home in “Indian Territory”—
Hannibal B. Johnson
Guerilla Remembrance
At the Tulsa Artist Coalition gallery on Brady Street, you can peer in from the sidewalk through the glass
Denver Nicks
Private Manning and the Making of WikiLeaks
The Inside Story of the Oklahoman Behind the Biggest Military Intelligence Leak Ever Editor's note: Since it was
Denver Nicks
You Can Kiss: Larry Clark Debuts “Tulsa: 1968”
The Luhring Augustine gallery in Chelsea is, like all of the galleries around it, minimalist, white and constructed
Denver Nicks
Manning in the Making
In September of 2010, This Land published the first feature article about the life of Bradley Manning, the Oklahoman
Denver Nicks
Gateway
The developers of Gateway Plaza wanted a politically neutral moniker for the project they hoped would set off a new era
Denver Nicks
Oklahoma Revealed!
In the spring of 2009, a cohort of evangelical Southern Baptists under the nom du groupe “The Singing Men of
Denver Nicks
Is Larry Clark Obscene?
On July 3, 2003, a film critic stood before a crowd of around 500 crammed into a community building in Sydney,
Denver Nicks
Together in Tulsa: Jevon & Kerry
Jevon Grimes can still remember the way his teammate, Kerry McQuarrie, passed the soccer ball back to him nearly a
Kristi Eaton
The Father of the Yield
The “yield” sign is a common occurrence in the apartment of 91-year-old Veda Riggs. There’s the yellow
Kristi Eaton
School Spirits
Thep Phongparnich slinks into the conference room on Maejo University in the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai, and
Kristi Eaton
The Chet Baker of Yale, Oklahoma
I've been listening to Chet Baker’s music as I write. He doesn’t sing on these tracks—though he’s a great
Joe OShansky
Aching to be Kind
I’ve never met a Jehovah’s Witness I didn’t like. Sure, they’re a bit loony, but every encounter I’ve ever
Shawna Lewis
Bob Bartholic
Quiet and introverted, Bob Bartholic was remarkably daring in his art and lifestyle. Often challenging traditional
Shawna Lewis
Barbara Bartholic (1939-2010)
Barbara Bartholic stands out as one of our city’s most daringly eccentric individuals. In fact, she stands out in
Shawna Lewis
C. Rabon Martin (1944-2010)
A true Midwestern man, Rabon Martin was a wild hobbyist, a tough man of the law and a sweet admirer of his people and
Shawna Lewis
Barbara Cowles (1928-2011)
“It must have been 1964 or ’65 when we met,” says longtime friend Delores Duke. We both lived on Brookside and
Shawna Lewis
Jean Davis (1932-2011)
“I thought she was the most exotic woman in the world,” Henson remembers. “She was certainly the most exotic
Shawna Lewis
Massad’s (1950-2011)
For sixty years, everyone from college girls and trophy wives to exotic dancers, cross dressers, and various breeds of
Shawna Lewis
Dana LeMoine (1960-2011)
“He loved tornadoes,” wife Lynne LeMoine remembers. “When a bad storm was coming, he would be up on the roof with
Shawna Lewis
Azizeh Jazayeri Tehrani-Hadavi (1924-2011)
“There were two sides to my mother,” Pat Hadavi remembered. “She was a Muslim, and she was a
Shawna Lewis
Rev. Robert Pickett (1924-2011)
“There was an issue in Alabama where dogs were released on non-violent protesters,” nephew John Dowdell explained.
Shawna Lewis
Charlesetta Walker (1935-2011)
“A lot of black kids are not exposed to folk dancing,” son Charles Walker said. “Especially the poorer
Shawna Lewis
Robert Littlejohn(1936-2011)
“He was our most excellent historian,” North Tulsa Historical Society President Charlotte Bates said at
Shawna Lewis
Jennifer Mansell (1962-2011)
They met as softball rivals but wouldn’t compete for long. “We weren’t on the same team,” Toni Hill
Shawna Lewis
Anthony Batchelder
Today, Tulsa’s theatre scene is a lively village of eager theaters and acting troupes, happy to share resources with
Shawna Lewis
Okemah Masonic Lodge (1927-2011)
It was built to be our state headquarters but ended up being home to Okemah’s Freemasons. Now that
Shawna Lewis
Aboard the Dixie Train
I called ahead. The hostess at Crow Creek Tavern said former American Idol contestant Matt Breitzke—the Oklahoman
Shawna Lewis
Eugene Brady Adkins (1920-2006)
Eugene Brady Adkins was the grandson of W. Tate Brady, who came to Tulsa in 1890 and helped turn a tiny town into a
Shawna Lewis
Dottie Clark (1924-2011)
Dottie Clark was thrilled when the judges named her first runner-up in the Mrs. Tulsa pageant. But her husband, Elmer,
Shawna Lewis
Harriet Peake (1924-2011)
There was no screaming, victory dancing, or even wild applause. There were no bruises or scabs. As sports go, croquet
Shawna Lewis
Skilly Forsman(1922-2011)
In the Tulsa dance and etiquette scene, Skilly Forsman was it. For 68 years, she taught kids of all ages to move with
Shawna Lewis
Elizabeth Ashwood Davis (1977-2011)
While planning her wedding and shopping for a publisher, Tulsa author Elizabeth Ashwood Davis died suddenly in her
Shawna Lewis
The Death of Snail Mail
Jeanie Harris met “Dust Bowl poet” Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel at just the right time: long after she had been
Shawna Lewis
Ernest Wiemann (1910-2010)
“He’s got quite a story,” Doug Bracken said of the man who used to own his business. “Ernest had a lot of
Shawna Lewis
Rich Hewitt (1948-2011)
Most know Rich Hewitt as “The Mushroom Man”—the guy who started a Tulsa-based mushroom business in his garage,
Shawna Lewis
George Matarazzo
“George was Italian,” his partner, Bill Ferguson, said, “and Italians in Brooklyn didn’t leave home until they
Shawna Lewis
Tom Parkinson
If you’ve visited the Tulsa Air and Space Museum in the past 10 years, there’s a good chance you’ve met Tom
Shawna Lewis
So Long, Joe Coleman (1922-2011)
“Oh, I met Joe probably a dozen years ago,” said Lee Anne Zeigler, executive director and CEO of Tulsa Foundation
Shawna Lewis
John Sands (1936-2011)
John Sands got married in Ireland, got a job in Canada, then changed careers in Seattle before making it to Tulsa to
Shawna Lewis
Norma Stone (1938-2011)
In a world where it’s all about whom you know, Norma Stone had it all. she made her resume from online resume builder
Shawna Lewis
Bluford Johnson (1934-2011)
Rachel Robinson remembers a lot of her father’s quirks—the way he’d shout “Judas Priest” when something upset
Shawna Lewis
Joseph Merz (1968-2011)
“His presence was big,” Blakely said. “I mean, he was a pretty big guy himself, over six foot and with his big
Shawna Lewis
Betty Voie(1924-2011)
In the early chapters of an unfinished memoir, Betty Voie wrote that growing up in Kentucky was like “living in a
Shawna Lewis
Brook Tarbel (1924-2011)
Brook Tarbel was born in the heart of Hollywood, where his mother made her dough as a talent agent for big movie stars
Shawna Lewis
Phillip and Fiawna: Together in Tulsa
“I was blown away,” Phillip recalls the first day he met Fiawna at the now-closed record store, Mooch and Burn.
Rebekah Greiman
Beau and Chrissie
Beau Rotramel drives musicians across the country; his job keeps him on the road for months at a time. The man needs
Rebekah Greiman
Rusty and Colleen
After a month of being turned down, Rusty got the green light on a date with Colleen. “I picked her up in my junky
Rebekah Greiman
Christy Sanders and Kimmie Michie
“I have zero ‘gay-dar’,“ Kimmie Michie laughs. ”I can’t tell when people are interested. I’m usually the
Rebekah Greiman
Matt and Ashley Shannon
"She was that white unicorn for me," Matt Shannon recounts the chase that was Ashley. The two met while working at
Rebekah Greiman
Duane and Mary Blevins
“If I was a gold digger, I think I could have done much better for myself,” Mary Blevins giggled and then added,
Rebekah Greiman
Jamin & Gina Brasongré
“I was casting for a production and I was hired to find people to dance for a musical about the Tulsa Race Riots,”
Rebekah Greiman
Stephen and Esther
Esther and Stephen Hill started off as many newlyweds do, with nervousness and hope, but their plans stumbled when
Rebekah Greiman
Jim and Linda
The question, “Have you always been this way?” causes Jim Elmore to grin. “What, nomadic?” he asks. “My
Rebekah Greiman
Ray and Jaruwan
Jaruwan Slovacek had to cross an ocean to find love, but Ray Slovacek took on the tougher journey of crossing over to
Rebekah Greiman
Toni Willis & Matthew Edwards
Kismet brought Matthew Edwards and Toni Willis to OSU OU in 1995, but music brought them together. Edwards, then a
Rebekah Greiman
Danielle and Wilson
The curtains parted and the crowds applauded as Wilson Lema and Danielle Cap-Lema danced across the stage. In
Rebekah Greiman
Jeff & Amber Whitlatch
Amber Whitlatch puffed at her purple-red bangs, introducing herself and her husband Jeff from my porch. After the
Rebekah Greiman
John & Holly Upthegrove
It’s the same old story: Boy with the funny last name meets girl and they marry. Boy and girl have three children
Rebekah Greiman
Aaron & Jessica
Littering the kitchen countertop was a mess of costumes, accessories, and makeup found typically in the back recesses
Rebekah Greiman
Urban Chicken
The journey from Maple Ridge to the farmer’s market fords a great divide, with ornate porches—framed by massive
Rebekah Greiman
Jim and Nancy Edwards
“It’s better to avoid talking about how we met,” Jim said with a laugh. He tiptoed around the specifics of their
Rebekah Greiman
Ken & Shelley Umezawa
Shelley assumed the lump seen in the mirror was nothing more than a cyst and was shocked when the doctor told her
Rebekah Greiman
Majors Roy and Kathy Williams
There are your typical saints, those who volunteer at the local food bank, the faithful charity check writers or the
Rebekah Greiman
Mana Tahaie & Nick Doctor
Nick Doctor and Mana Tahaie were married twice—once at Woodward Park with only a few family members present, then in
Rebekah Greiman
Yiren & James Gallagher
Yiren Gallagher pores over Internet articles, calling out ideas with a thick accent to her husband James. He sits just
Rebekah Greiman